2000 because of the need to move the green away from Stanley Road for safety reasons. Before that change the 17th (Royal) had been recognised as one of the great holes in golf. The green was just across the road from the site of the old Royal Hotel. A long iron or fairway wood faded a little through the prevailing wind could pitch on the right half of the green, roll through the fence (three strands of wire in the old days), and finish out of bounds. The dramas on that green were legion. Some stories no doubt gained much from retelling, but the old Royal passed into history. Its successor hole was severely bunkered and with a huge and rather elevated green, it was felt by many to be unfairly difficult for ordinary mortals and rather untypical of Hoylake. Enter SOL and the new Hawtree design took shape in a

few autumn weeks. The new much narrower green is nearer fairway level and is guarded by two bunkers on the left, and one plus a short bunker on the right. There are runoffs short and both sides. The green is slanted slightly back left to front right. It sits well with the feel of the links and looks demanding but fair. It will be fascinating to see how it plays.

“There is a lot more taking place which will all be complete by the time this is read”

There is a lot more taking place which will all be complete

by the time this is read. The swale short of the 1st green will tighten the approach

and strengthen pin positions on the left. The broken ground on both sides of the second will improve fairway definition, and reduce the threat to Barn Hey. The new drive bunker on the right of the 3rd is an excellent example of strengthening the hole for the Open whilst affecting club members hardly at all. At the green, the left bunker has been simplified and a runoff added, while the approach has been tightened by a new one on the right. Before you get there however you have had to negotiate the new tongue of rough short right. The 6th will see one of the new Championship tees, and the

repositioning of the right hand drive bunker. In the green there is a new swale on the right which will enable a tough new pin position. The rearranged hollow to the left of green 7 is a good improvement as is the realignment of the left hand bunker.

The increased run off to the back left of the eighth certainly tightens the approach, as do the new features both sides of the ninth, and the repositioning of the front left bunker. As we turn for home, the first thing to notice about the tenth

is that we can now see the fairway from the tee. Definition is being improved by “dune work” on the right and the broken ground on the left should also concentrate the mind on hitting the now visible fairway. Visibility from the tee is improved at 11th too, and the new swale on the right will become a great feature of this terrific hole. At the 12th hole the fairway is better defined by broken ground, but as with the 10th the wonderful Harry Colt green is unaffected. The back left bunker at the 13th has been reshaped but the green left alone. There will be a new Championship tee at the14th; the “approach” bunker at the end of the fairway is repositioned and the left hand bunkers near the green are now tighter and more visible. There is also some work on the “folly” to restore what used to be an important feature of the hole. The 16th of course is the final hole in an Open Championship.

The bunkers both sides of the green have been handsomely remodelled, and new swales added. Those fortunate enough to have seats by the home green in 2014 seem certain to see a great deal of drama in the final arena. The Royal green has been considered already but the

approach route will be constrained by the extensive area of broken ground on the left, which affects 16th also. At the eighteenth members have welcomed the reduction in fairway bunkering, and here too the broken ground to the right will improve definition and enhance the right hand rough. The changes made live comfortably with the objectives set

out originally, and the irrigation system will secure the future of the returfed areas as well as the rest of the course. The 2010 course should be more fun for the members and in 2014 it will be tougher for the experts. Lots of people, many unsung, have been involved in what has been a major project for the club. There has been wholehearted cheerful cooperation between them, very hard work often in harsh weather, and overall a real desire to make this wonderful links even better. We salute them all and thank them for all their efforts. Throughout the project a great deal of help and guidance

has been received from The R&A, mostly in the person of Chief Executive Peter Dawson for whose wise advice and constructive criticism we are extremely grateful. Martin Hawtree speaks for everyone involved when he

says; “It is a great privilege to return to Hoylake and work with this wonderful golf course, learn for myself its subtleties and great qualities, and do my best to conserve and develop them for future generations.

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